Queen Máxima’s Hats at Prinsjesdag

Tomorrow is Prinsjesdag, the opening of Dutch Parliament. It’s a special day not only because the monarch will address a joint session of the Dutch Senate and House of Representatives in The Hague but because the royal family will attend in 18th century dress (that’s when Prinsjesdag began and the dress code has not been changed!). That, dear readers, means we will enjoy one of the very few royal engagements where the dress code is length gowns with hats! Here is a look at all of Queen Máxima’s Prinsjesdag hats and headpieces:

Prinsjesdag Hats as Crown Princess

A red feathered fascinator in 2002; a classic pink pillbox in 2003; and grey feathers in 2004

An upturned picture hat in 2005; a delicate rose headpiece in 2006; and a frothy beige straw hat in 2007

A purple picture hat with blossoms in 2008 and a delicate pink veiled headpiece in 2009

A diagonal pink picture hat in 2010; a brown Homburg-stye hat in 2011; and a striking magenta wool hat in 2012

Looking at this group of hats, there is a little bit of everything- feathers, flowers, brims, no-brims, bows, net, embellishment, non-embellishment, straw, fabric and wool. There are large hats and small, delicate headpieces. Which pieces stand out most to you?

I think this is an occasion where one can have different opinions on the hats (and outfits) taken in isolation, and how they work for the particular event for which they are worn. For example, I really like the crumpled beige straw from 2007 (it seems to me to give a nod in the direction of mediaeval Netherlandish headgear, albeit for men then!). I also like the pale pink hat and dress from 2010. But I think they are too insipid in colour for an occasion which involves waving to people from a distance (a balcony etc). Athough there are some other good hats, my vote for the most effective hat and outfit for this occasion has to go to last year, because not only is it good in itself, a wonderful colour and such a flattering formal hat shape, but it is very well-suited for the requirements of the event, bright and visible from a distance, and not shielding her face from the crowds. My least favourite is definitely the homburg; I’m not that fond of it anyway, but here it really Does Not Go.

I see a split here of traditional hats (2002, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2011) and modern hats (2004, 20007, 2010, 2012) Between these two, I have to go with the modern hats. I think each of these four are amazing.

She looks good in a lot of different hats. I like the rusty colored one in 2005 with the curled up brim part. That’s a beautiful hat. I don’t like the hats with the brim going straight up on one side and down on the other. They look lopsided to me.

Oh my very favorite is year 2002, the red one. She looks best in red, it brings out her personality, her joy, her love of who she is and what she has become, it makes her shine. I also like the deep purple one she wore last year, that color is great one her. I think she will wear *Blue*, blue is not a color that I really like, it’s cold to me, I love warm colors. Regardless of what she wears, it will be a winner, she never fails to make us go awwwwwwwwwwwwww, how beautiful she is. Love her and her hubby and girls, what a great example of family life, the way they love each other.

I love the last three hats, diagonal pink picture hat in 2010, brown Homburg-stye hat in 2011 and the magenta wool hat in 2012. Yes I do like the brown Homburg-style hat. It may look like a ranch hat (or farm) but it looks stupendous on Max!

She seems able to do a lot of styles with grace, but I think she looks especially good in the wide brim ones-she can do big hats like Camilla can. I agree about the Homburg. Wrong place for it, but it looks good on her!

I also like the 2002 red facinator – hard like you said to pick a top fav…my guess for what color she will wear tomorrow is blue…she has never worn blue to this event…she got the world talking when she wore royal blue to the inaugural investiture -but she has not worn much blue since then…I think she planned this long time ago and has kept her clothing away from what color she really wanted to reserve for her first Prinsjesdag. Whatever she does wear – I am sure it will be stunning – long as she does not get on one of those turbans!!!

Oh and I also like the 2010 diagonal pink picture hat – that shows up her face vs shielding it – I don’t think she will wear anything that is really wide, downturned brim – she will want her face to glow in the photos in the good lighting.